Chris Eubank Q&A
On Tommy Hearns, Steve Collins, Haye-Bellew, Mayweather-McGregor and Much More
On your Twitter page, you say you fought so many guys who were more talented than you and always came out on top due to persistence. Who are some of the guys in mind?
Calzaghe is one, I finished the stronger and over 15 rounds would've stopped Joe.
All of the Afro-American imports I fought in England as a professional were United States Golden Gloves Champions, so they definitely had more natural talent than me, like Randy Smith, John Jarvis, Ron Essett and Lindell Holmes; more fluidity than I. I only got as far as the semi-final of the New York Golden Gloves.
What about (Nigel) Benn?
Nigel Benn had born power, a gifted athlete. Michael Watson, great balance. Dan Schommer, great positioning. Nigel in our second fight (was) so elusive I had to keep swinging away to nick a draw. All of these being instinctive traits from these fighters. I was more of a trained fighter. And I trained myself!
I bested some of the best New York amateurs like Dennis Milton and Andre Coles by out-jabbing and out-moving them on activity alone, out-working them in essence where I shouldn't have lived with them on talent. It took me years and years to develop the combinations they had.
All I did was persist. On the other side, there were Tony Thornton and Henry Wharton who had phenomenal persistence, but flat feet that I could move around.
Steve Collins in our second fight was the ultimate in persistence and stayed on his toes. Much respect to Steve for beating me fair and square in my 25 to 29 pomp, because he didn't have close to my ability.
There is also a photo of yourself and Tommy Hearns, how would that fight have panned out?
Bob Arum offered me the Thomas Hearns fight after I beat Benn in 1990. My response was that I wasn't fit enough to tie his shoe laces.
How do you see the Haye-Bellew British superfight panning out?
'Superfight'? David has completed only one single completed round since West Ham against Chisora many years ago, and Bellew has never even fought at heavyweight. I think both are fantastic sellers of fights, they drum up controversy, which is good.
David has a right hand that sent 18-stone men like John Ruiz and Audley Harrison head over heels. The last thing to leave a fighter in his power. He still looks fast. He was always elusive. I mean Tony Bellew was making 12 and a half stone until recently, and David Haye is a muscular 16 stone or so.
The writing must be on the wall.
Why did you never relocate to America or fight in Vegas?
I lived in America from 1982 to 1988 and relocated to England to conquer here. Mike Tyson was naturally the man I looked to - being from where I'm from and my age and achieving what he was - and Mike Tyson was destroyed by the glitz and glam of Vegas and so forth.
I had a wife and children. I wanted people around me I know I could trust and not end up in a prison cell.
Do you live in regret over the Triple G falling through for Junior?
My son was offered millions and millions. He's not ready for that sort of money. Look at Mike Tyson. Look at Tyson Fury. He'd of won the fight in spectacular fashion but it would've been the death of him.
His time will come.
Will he beat Billy Joe Saunders in 2017?
Billy Joe won't go near Junior. Come on. Billy Joe Saunders in my time would've been brushed aside by me in four rounds. And six rounds for James DeGale. From 1992 to 1995 I could win rounds with 10 punches thrown, leads to the body and counters to the head; all 120 of which picture-perfect. If I wanted to lead to the head at any time it was spectacular and bodies were shifted.
Junior is better than I was. He smokes Saunders and corners DeGale to punish him. These are mismatches. DeGale won't touch him.
What are your thoughts on McGregor vs Mayweather in a boxing ring?
Connor has never had a boxing match. Floyd Mayweather is the best boxer of the last 15 years. What more needs to be said? McGregor won't lay a glove on Floyd.
Eubanks Jnr has a 50/50 chance of becoming a world champion IMO.
His progress is difficult to qualify as since he lost to Saunders he has only fought face first, C level guys like O'Sullivan and Blackwell.
Those types of guys are just tailor made for Eubanks to look good against.
Put him up against someone with real defensive skill and an inside game, then you will have a better indication of his potential.
Combine that with the ridiculous behaviour of his old man and you can see the challenges for Jnr.
In fairness he seems to work hard in spite of that doe. Based on his snapchat he seems to be training all the time & never really seems to leave the gym for long. I don't think he's anything like Chavez, I don't think Sr would let things get to that point & I think he's involved, arguably too involved, with making sure Jr stays on the straight & narrow. I think regardless of what anyone thinks of Eubank Jr's overall upside he'll be the most successful son of a great boxer surpassing Chavez Jr when its all said & done.
Eubank Jr definitely stays in shape, but I don't think he's honing his craft. His father screwed up his amateur career sending him to Las Vegas and moving him around and what not. Jr is lacking in the fundamentals and I don't think he's getting it 'living the life'. We'll see, I love his potential, but he should be in a gym grinding against other good fighters and not being catered too like he's already earned it.
I like Chris Eubank Jr more than Sr, I actually think Jr might be more talented than his old man time will tell put it this way put someone like a Charlo brother in with Jr and you will see what will happen to either of them and it won't be pretty it will be Blackwell all over again, people often under credit Eubank Jr because of his old man legacy but when you look at the hype that average joe fighters like the Charlo bros are getting it makes you shake your head... But I guess that's just boxing forum bias because Eubank Jr is a much bigger name than any current active American fighter right now fans are naturally attracted to the best talents about.
The grain of sand speaks and shows the world why he is a grain of sand .
naaah just being objective. Floyd hasnt really done anything since lightweight
This dude has quite the EGO I see..lol at his son easily destroying GGG but just not being ready for the money hahahaha... What a tool..
you're clearly just jelly of his man purse, monocle and horse riding shoes.